In this episode of the Filipino on the Rise podcast, host Krystl Fabella dives into a conversation about faith, religion, and spirituality. She shares her own personal journey of questioning her faith and leaving the church multiple times, highlighting the importance of asking questions and having a personal relationship with God. Krystl explores the influence of religion in Filipino culture and the challenges of navigating religious institutions. She also discusses the impact of church hurt and trauma, and the healing process that comes with exploring spirituality outside of traditional religious practices. Through her own experiences, Krystl encourages listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and questions, and to find a path that feels authentic and meaningful to them.

Key Takeaways:

• Growing up with religious and faith-based influences is a common experience for many Filipino Americans.
• Questioning one's faith and exploring spirituality outside of traditional religious practices can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of one's beliefs.
• Church hurt and trauma are real experiences that can impact one's relationship with religion and spirituality.
• Finding a balance between personal exploration and community connection is important when it comes to faith and spirituality.
• It is possible to have a personal relationship with God and find healing without being tied to a specific religious institution.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I always question when I go to church, what am I doing here? Like, I volunteer at my church, but sometimes I don't sit and listen to the sermons because I'm past that point where I'm just sitting and taking in information and just doing the routines." 
2. "I think that after seeing the western Christian church and the glamorization of pastors, I felt like I had more questions to ask. So that is when I again distanced myself and started looking for answers elsewhere." 
3. "It's not our responsibility to continuously do the work and save ourselves. Give it to God. You're healed. You're whole." 
4. "When we share our experiences with each other, that's when the healing begins, and that's when we can live a more abundant life." 
5. "It's okay to have questions and to share them with others. Open up about your experiences and see where God meets you." 

Resources:

• Filipino on the Rise Podcast
• Krystl Fabela's Instagram

Listen to the full episode on Filipino on the Rise Podcast for more insights and personal stories about faith, religion, and spirituality. Stay tuned for future episodes that celebrate Filipino excellence and empower the community.